Had a 15 min workout on the treadmill at 3.5 mph then immediately switched to another 10 mins at 3% incline, followed by 25 min on the bike. I finished off with nearly an hour in the pool which rounded off the session.

At Hugh's direction, I did 15 minutes on the treadmill at 2% incline and another 10 minutes at 4 mph. Found myself to be challenged but not to over exerted. The recumbent bikes were occupied so I did 20 minutes on the upright bike and found it to be a little more difficult but rewarding. No pool today due to gym closing at 4 pm. Must resolve to get there earlier so I can get in some pool time.

Seems like Friday's going to be a pool free day unless I can manage to get to the gym earlier, due to the gym closing at 4 pm. So today I did 25 min on the treadmill and 20 on the bike and called it a day, but I did have a sense of accomplishment considering I was conflicted as to whether or not I really wanted to go at all today.

Had a regular work out today. Up to 25 minutes on the treadmill and regular times on the bike. Today I followed the work out with some pool time which felt rewarding. I'm going to consult Hugh regarding increasing the workout times.

Did 25 mins on the treadmill today which was sweaty but I managed and it felt pretty good, followed by the regular 20 mins on the bike. No pool today.

Another difficulty today, couldn't stop sweating while on the treadmill so I cut it at 10 minutes and then went on the bike for my usual 20. Then I came back to the treadmill and worked it for 15 minutes, by the time I came back a fan had been switched on and the breeze made it much more comfortable.

Increased treadmill time to 25 mins. Had back spasms 15 mins into the set but used handlebars and the pain went away so I was able to do more time.

Had a bit of a tough time yesterday doing treadmill and bike, was sweating more than usual and didn't feel so great. Spoke to Hugh and he advised backing off a bit, but I'm not sure I want to do that. Will see how it goes tomorrow when I try again, I'd like to increase instead of decrease work out time.

Went for regular work out today, 20 mins treadmill and 20 mins bike, followed by about 40 minutes in the pool. Getting to know other people there which is nice and makes the time go by faster. I'm getting ready to increase the treadmill time, will consult Hugh for the next challenge.

Today was my first day back at the gym since my summer membership lapsed around Labor Day. Did 20 mins on the treadmill and another 20 on the rec. bike, then a dip in the pool. It feels good to have something to do and I am looking forward to a new routine of 3x a week. Thanks to Hugh for giving me a starting program that I can stick to.

Haven't heard yet from the Y as to whether or not they're going to give me a payment plan. I miss working out and using the pool. Hope to hear from them by the end of this week.

First day of September, I'm down in Florida for a few days and haven't been working out but the weather's been so hot that I feel as if it's a workout just standing outdoors.

Didn't make it to the gym today, so I'm a little bummed. I am hoping that I can work out a deal to secure an affordable membership so that I can continue to work out past 9/7, which is when my current membership expires.

Had a little problem with the treadmill today, wanted to work out 10 mins at 4 mph but got severe cramps in my left shin after about 6 min. So I quit the treadmill and worked out on the bike for 27 minutes, then returned to the t/m for another 15 min at 3.5 mph. I was disappointed but realized I need to do some stretching before such a vigorous workout.

Did 20 mins on the treadmill at 3.5 then went to the bike and did 25 minutes at L1, followed by a dip in the pool. Had the advantage of getting to the gym by car, so I didn't arrive all sweaty and hot. Feeling a little more like this is getting to be a routine; it wasn't an effort and didn't feel like a strain so it was nice.

Tried Hugh's next prescription for 20 mins on the treadmill at 4% incline. It worked pretty well and wasn't that tiresome. The rest of the routine was pretty much uneventful except for the pool which was delightfully unoccupied (only 3 people) and very quiet and restful.

Very hot today, air quality alerts. Good day to stay indoors with the a/c. Don't think it's a good day to do some outside walking either, although making it back from the bus stop, about 10 minutes of walking, wasn't all that bad in the heat.

Used the treadmill today as per Hugh's suggestion, 10 mins at 4mph instead of 20 at 3.5. I'm not sure if I could keep that up as a regular thing, but I pushed through and it was over soon enough. Then I went on for 20 mins on the bike, which seemed like a vacation in the country by comparison. Weather's been very hot lately, today was in the low 90's.

Hot today. I think it was in the low 90s and felt like more than that. The weatherman on the radio said this was what might be the last (and for us in the NYC area, the first) heat wave of the summer season. Can't believe summer's only got about a month left. Looking forward to the new work out plan Hugh suggested for me when I go back to the gym tomorrow.

Had a quick walk this morning, about 20 mins in total. Must be hotter than I thought outside because I was sweating like a horse in no time, so I felt as if I'm not getting conditioned at all. Have the a/c on today because I just couldn't take it anymore, the fan will simply not do.

Went to the gym the same time and did the same thing as usual, but for some reason the treadmill was very difficult. I discussed it with a friend and figured out it might be due to the fact that it was quite warm today and I was already more than warmed up when I arrived to work out. The bike wasn't any effort at all; in fact I find it restful in a way to sit and have the fan blow on me from across the room. If I am perspiring when I finish the treadmill, then I cool down when I go over to the bike. I'm thinking I might reduce the speed of the treadmill from 3.5mph down to 3 or so. See how it goes.

The Wizard of Oz witches

I've been wondering about the witches in "The Wizard of Oz" because it seems as if they've left one out. Dorothy's house falls on the Wicked Witch of the East, then Dorothy meets Glinda, the only witch who has a name and also the Good Witch of the North. Soon after, she meets the Wicked Witch of the West, who she eventually melts. The question is: What about the Witch of the South? I wonder if she would have been a good or bad witch and why they left her out.

Went out for a couple of hours to therapy, glad I went. Now I have to get out for some walking maybe later on today. Hugh suggested I go to the gym on my day off and just swim or simply go into the sauna to break up the routine. I might do this later. Hugh also suggested I get out more on the Internet, a classic bit of irony that we're savoring.

Went to gym this afternoon, found it to be more difficult than usual even though I was doing the same routine as I always do. The recumbent bike was easier, though.

Another hot day, couldn't get motivated enough to go out as of yet, but will do so later on. Thought for a while that it was Monday, screwed up my therapy appointment.

Was glad I took the time to go to the gym. Need to work more on swimming, I'm able to get 1/2 way across the pool but I need more endurance.

Monday

Hot today, going up to 95. Must keep up with my exercise and get out to the gym later even if it's hot, getting out to the gym is a workout in itself.